Mechanism for removing dents



June 6, 1950 E, REED 2,510,253

MECHANISM FOR REMOVING DENTS Filed Sept. 29, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 11/60 151 Ree d ATTD RN EYS June 6, 1950 1. E. REED 2,510,253

MECHANISM FOR REMOVING DENTS Filed Sept. 29, L947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

IY/ci'r? EReed A'ITDRN EYS Patented June 6, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MECHANISM FOR REMOVING DENTS Ivan E. Reed, Prestonsburg, Ky.

Application September 29, 1947, Serial No. 776,706

3 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to electromagnetic apparatus for removing dents from automobile bodies or fenders or from other articles constructed of similar magnetic sheet material.

An object of the invention is to provide an electromagnetic apparatus which, when proper- 1y positioned, will remove a dent from a sheet metal object upon energization of the electromagnetic means.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is portable and which may be readily positioned for the removal of a dent.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an electromagnetic apparatus of this type in which the dent removing portion thereof may be provided with any one of a series of interchangeable matrices, each matrix being of a general shape for the most efiective removal of a dent of specific shape and dimensions.

It is another object of the invention to provide the electromagnet with energiz-ation means disposed for operation at both a high and a low intensity, the high intensity being for use in the actual removal of dents and the low intensity being suitable for holding the device in position preliminary to the dent removing operation.

It is a feature of the invention that power operated means such as a hydraulic lift is provided for the raising and lowering of the relatively heavy electromagnet. The entire assembly is mounted on a dolly so that it may be readily moved about, and the structure is balanced so that angular adjustments may be easily made.

Other and further objects will become apparent upon reading the following specification together with the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof.

Referring to the drawing;

Fig. 1 shows a side view in elevation of an embodiment of the invention, partly broken away.

Fig. 2 shows a rear view in elevation of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view through an electromagnet which forms a part of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of the electrical circuits.

Fig. 6 is a side view of a matrix for use with the electromagnet of Fig. 4.

and a movable magnetic core 3 3.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view of a locking device.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 7, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to Fig. 1, an electromagnet designated generally as l I is mounted on a dolly designated generally as l2. Dolly 12 comprises four vertically extending legs 13 each equipped at its lower end with a caster l4. Supported on the four vertical legs [3 are a pair of cross members l5 which support a hydraulic cylinder l6 pivotally mounted in trunnions i6 and I! being carried by a shaft as supported ball bearings l9 one of which may be seen in Fig. 8.

A counter-weight 28 is shown as being generally cylindrical in shape and tends to keep the hydraulic cylinder [6 in a vertical position. The plunger 2! of hydraulic cylinder it extends up- Wardly and is bifurcated to provide two arms 22 and 23 which carry at their extremities additional trunnions 24 and 25 which are provided with looking screws 26. Electromagnet H is rotatablysupported by trunnions 24 and 25.

Current for the energization of the electromagnet l l is supplied by conductors 27 and 2-8 and the intensity of the current is controllable by means of a rheostat 29, the amount of current flow being indicated by an ammeter 30. A pair of conductors 3| extends to a suitable source of electric current for the energization of the electromagnet ll.

Electromagnet ll consists of a shell portion 32 in which is mounted a fixed magnetic core 33 Movable core 34 is provided with a tapped hole 35 adapted to receive a matrix such as 31 shown in Fig. 6, the matrix 31 being provided with a threaded shank 38 permitting it to be inserted in tapped hole 35 and with a face portion 39 which is shaped for engagement with the work. For different types of dents, different shapes will be provided for the face portion 39 of the matrix 31.

Fixed core 33 is secured by bolt 40 and is prevented from loosening by rivets 4| extending laterally from shell 32. Shell 32 is provided with a pair of supporting shafts 33 which engage trunnions 24 and 25.

Fixed core member 33 is provided with an energizing coil 44 and movable coil member 34 is provided with an energizing coil 45. A compression spring 46 tends to keep movable coil 34 spaced from fixed core 33. The movable core 34 is slidably mounted within the shell 32.

Referring to Fig. 5, direct current for energize,-

tion of electromagnet II is supplied by a pair of conductors 3|. Initially, reduced magnetizing current is applied through a switch 50 and a resistor 5I to a tap 52 on energizing winding 45 which produces a reduced degree of magnetization in the forward portion of a movable core member 34. With the electromagnet II thus energized at a reduced power consumption which will permit continuous energization without overheating, the electromagnet II is positioned in contact with the work. The height may be adjusted by means of hydraulic cylinder IE which is provided to facilitate raising and lowering of the magnet. The magnet I I may be tilted to the desired angle by loosening screws 26, thus permitting it to be rotated in trunnions 24 and 25. When the magnet has been adjusted to the desired angle, the screws 26 are again tightened and will retain the magnet in this position. The entire magnet assembly including the hydraulic cylinder may also be pivoted laterally about a horizontal axis by loosening a clamping screw 49 associated with trunnion I6 and tightening this screw after the magnet II is in the desired position.

Having thus placed electromagnet II in the correct working position for the removal of the dent, and with face 39 of matrix 31 in contact with the work, switch 53 is closed permitting the full current, as limited by rheostat 29, to be applied simultaneously to both windings of the electromagnet I I. This is arranged to produce a high degree of energization of the electromagnet thereby bringing movable core member 34 in contact with fixed core member 33. This action abruptly increases the flux and also produces an impact which will further assist in the straightening of the dent. The high degree of magnetization tends to draw the work fiat against the face of matrix 39. The flattening action, if not completely effective upon the first energization may be repeated until the dent is removed to the extent desired.

In order to prevent undue arcing at switch 53, a resistor 54 is provided to absorb the energy stored in the electromagnet. Before the energization circuit can be broken, resistor 54 is connected in multiple with the electromagnet thus being connected to dissipate the energy which would otherwise tend to form an arc.

While I have shown what I believe to be the best embodiment of my invention, I do not wish, however, to be limited to the embodiment shown but what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, an energizing winding, a magnetic member comprising a fixed portion and a movable portion disposed to be influenced by the energization of the winding, spring means disposed to urge the movable portion away from the fixed portion, a matrix carried by the movable portion and shaped for engagement with a sheet of magnetizable material for the removal of a dent therefrom, and adjustable positioning means supporting the magnetic member.

2. In a device of the class described, an energizing winding, a magnetic member comprising a fixed portion and a movable portion and disposed to be influenced by the energization of the winding, spring means disposed to urge the movable portion away from the fixed portion, a matrix carried by the movable portion and shaped for engagement with a sheet of magnetizable material for the removal of the dent therefrom, adjustable positioning means supporting the magnetic member, and means for producing a reduced degree of energization of the winding for use in adjustment of the positioning means.

3. In a device of the class described, an energizing winding, a magnetic member comprising a fixed portion and a movable portion and disposed to be influenced by the energization of the winding, spring means disposed to urge the movable portion away from the fixed portion, a matriX carried by the movable portion and shaped for engagement with a sheet of magnetizable material for the removal of a dent therefrom, adjustable positioning means supporting the magnetic member, means for producing a reduced degree of energization of the winding for use during adjustment of the positioning means, and means for increasing the degree of energization after the positioning means has been adjusted.

IVAN E. REED.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,443,075 Guilford Jan. 23, 1923 2,151,063 Weaver Mar. 21, 1939 2,258,800 Pearlman et a1 Oct. 14, 1941 2,340,587 Graham Feb. 1, 1944 2,432,338 Reilly Dec. 8, 19.47 2,433,703 Mekelburg Dec. 30, 1947 

